New years eve dinns 2021

The thing is, we were invited to the Chateau Orqueveaux  for dinner.  But it was cancelled due to COVID.  It was only going to be a small get together, but we were hesitant given the increasing numbers.  Bhulah and Ziggy were wise to cancel.  

We had a glorious day this neck of the woods.  The warmest we can remember for this time of year.  

We had wine out on our terrace with an outside fire before coming in for an early dinns.

Dinner was serious.  Not traditional for this region.  AT ALL. We had 6 different varieties of vegetarian Indian side dishes, with an incredible farm raise French chicken done in the not so French tradition of Tandoor style, with flat breads, raita, and basmati rice. We couldn't fit it all on the table so I popped a little bit of a few things on our plates.   So we basically had vegetarian   -  with chicken.  Andy had chicken  - with a touch of vegetarian.  

We had spiced red cabbage with beetroot, turnip and tomato curry (a revelation), celeriac spiced remoulade, potato and tomato curry, spinach pea and chickpea curry, fresh raw lentil salad for freshness.  An absolute knockout with fresh fennel, lime juice and zest, toasted mustard seed.  

This meal had everything.  Richness from the tandoori chicken, underlying notes from the various vegetables, acidity from the chutneys, pickles and raita. And lettuce cups.  Yum.  

That tandoori chicken was unreal.  Whatever Andy put on it, it worked.  The chicken itself was beautiful but that marinade.  Yum.  He added a bit of smoked paprika I think.  Fresh ginger, garlic, spices.  Not sure but it was the best chicken tandoor I've eaten.   I might be slightly biased.  But Andy knows his f...ing spice.   

Below, a salad of raw soaked red lentils, lime zest and juice, tempered mustard seeds, finely chopped fresh fennel, lime juice, salt and fresh chilli.  A beautiful fresh addition to any Indian meal.  However, tempered fresh curry leaves and fresh coriander finishes this off.   I don't have access to fresh curry leaf or fresh coriander here.  But..... it's delicious anyway.